I think it sounds like your muffler baffle has a broken weld or crack. Maybe remove the muffler and shake it. If nothing rattles in the muffler then try running the bike with it off and see if the rattle is still there. Well I listened to your recording again. You might want to retard the timing slightly and see if the rattle goes away. I would still check the muffler though. Also make sure your tank is full of fuel. An almost empty gas tank can produce some funky harmonics that can drive you crazy.

The two of them sounded about the same to me, but I really wouldn't want to guess what it is. Put a hemostat to it and see if you can get the source of the noise located. Even a long screwdriver held to your ear with the blade touching various parts of the crankcase can be a help.Bare

I just had the muffler off a week ago and it was fine. I'll check it again though.

I've tweaked the timing both directions and it just makes it run poorly. I don't think it affected that knock.

Fuel tank is nearly full.

It doesn't knock like that unless under at least a little load so I can't really narrow down the exact spot. Perhaps I could enlist the help of a friend to hold the brake and give it a little throttle in gear...

I just had the muffler off a week ago and it was fine. I'll check it again though.

I've tweaked the timing both directions and it just makes it run poorly. I don't think it affected that knock.

Fuel tank is nearly full.

It doesn't knock like that unless under at least a little load so I can't really narrow down the exact spot. Perhaps I could enlist the help of a friend to hold the brake and give it a little throttle in gear...

I wonder if your points plate is hanging up your mechanical advance. That is something that numerous Bullet owners have mentioned having a problem with. Just take off your points cover and then turn your points cam shaft and check to see if it hangs up on the advance. If so you may have to file something on the back of the plate.

Well, it comes and goes sort of randomly.Have you checked your primary chain tension, or inspected all the stuff in your primary chaincase?

The knock comes in around a certain RPM range, and only when driving. I added some Lucas oil gunk, and that quieted it somewhat. I really think it's a crank or rod bearing. Especially with the way it shakes... http://youtu.be/tymO9emz4WE

I tore apart the primary, cleaned it out, and replaced the alternator at the same time I replaced the cylinder and piston (~200 miles ago). I guess I'll check it anyways. Maybe I'll pull off the alternator and drive it down the street to see if that makes a difference.

My stupid rattling noise ended up being a lose tank bolt. Metalic vibration noises at the top end of the gears right before shifting. DUMB ME. Spent a week trying to figure that crap out. Live and learn.

My stupid rattling noise ended up being a lose tank bolt. Metalic vibration noises at the top end of the gears right before shifting. DUMB ME. Spent a week trying to figure that crap out. Live and learn.

I took it down to the Brit bike dealer in San Bernardino (Doug Douglas). They sell RE's but don't have experience with the earlier models like mine. After a bit of gearhead talk about the old girl, the mechanics gave it a listen and said it's definitely engine noise, probably a rod bearing. But they also said it's not that bad yet and I could probably keep riding it a bit longer before splitting the case.

suit yourself but you're just asking for more scrap metal to cleanout of the oil channels and risking a lot more damage to the cylinder... old school thinking is knock on acceleration is crank bearings; knock on deceleration is rod bearing.... have you pulled either of the rocker covers or oil filterlooking for small bits of white metal?

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